CLINTON BACKS NATO PLANS.

Despite warnings sounded by Russian prime minister Viktor Chernomyrdin (see Perspective section below), U.S. president Bill Clinton last night called NATO enlargement the Administration’s top foreign policy priority for 1997 and pledged to follow through on alliance plans to expand membership by 1999. Clinton also called for the forging of a "stable partnership" with Russia. His remarks came during the president’s annual State of the Union address to Congress. (Reuter, UPI, February 4)

Luzhkov Slams NATO, Warns Kiev.